Foiled terror attack

The attack endorses intelligence reports about the presences of terrorist sleeper cells in the city

It could have turned into a big tragedy if our security personnel had not sprung into timely action to overcome the four terrorists who tried to storm the Pakistan Stock Exchange building in Karachi on Monday. A sub-inspector of police and three private security guards laid down their lives, but not before the four terrorists had been downed a little farther from the main gate of the stock exchange building. The terrorists attempted to make it to the crowded hall of the bourse with the ill intent of doing something big. But what could have caused a hell lot of harm was brought under control in an operation — led by the Rangers and Sindh Police’s Rapid Response Force — that lasted only eight minutes. The biggest heroes though were the security guards at the stock exchange because if they had not held off the initial assault, we can only imagine how many of the 6,000 people inside the building would have left in body bags.

The attack was the first major terrorist incident in Karachi since the November 2018 attack on the Chinese Consulate claimed by Baloch insurgents. Reports suggest that this one was also orchestrated by the Balochistan Liberation Army, a banned terrorist outfit with ties to Indian and Afghan intelligence. Some 10 days back — on June 19 to be exact — there had been near-simultaneous attacks on Rangers officials in three different cities of Sindh. Three Rangers men were martyred in these attacks that may have been an attempt to divert attention from a bigger game plan.

The failed attack on the bourse, meanwhile, endorses intelligence reports about the presences of terrorist sleeper cells in the city. Already rumours are rife that the attack may also be linked to India’s regional goals. After all, after being thrashed by China, India knows it is in no position to directly attack its neighbour to the north. The attack targeted the financial never centre of the country, equated by the Sindh CM with the nine eleven attacks on the World Trade Centre. Conversely though, the stocks actually closed up by 0.71%, and the market was one of the best performers in Asia on the day. Kudos to our security forces who made yet another gallant contribution towards the safety and security of our country and the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2020.

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